1. The mute woman utters no discourse,
The deaf woman returned no response.

2. She is a revelation of immortal art,
That gave life to divinity in the soil.

3. Her verses were revealed so clearly,
Yet their marvel remains an awesome marvel.

4. Her reciters did not guide us,
To understand them in the right way.

5. And Baalbek is the mother of books.
It is as if it were the limbs of a giant,

6. Strewn about in the forest.
Around it are columns standing,

7. For prayer but without reward.
Its walls wherein are gardens,

8. Containing whatever is beautiful and pure.
Fruits are hung in it,

9. Their sight makes mouths water.
As if its grapes were shining,

10. In the month of August.
So wonder at gardens over which

11. The lion crouches in wrath.
Baring fangs without

12. Ferocity when matters get serious.
Lion-like shapes erected

13. As symbols of lionhearted youth.
Who fell into oppression and hardship,

14. Forced into misfortune.
O Baalbek, though you are old,

15. The traits of youth are upon you.
However weathered you are,

16. Your beauty still dazzles.
Through you modern art touches

17. Miracles beyond counting.
Making the Eiffel Tower seem

18. Like a child prattling about clouds.
Most wondrous creation in the world

19. Played with by destructive hands.
All the nations of the world

20. Marched before you bearing arms.
As if you were the sultan displaying

21. His army on parade day.
O daughter of Phoenicia and O

22. Sister of everlasting purity.
You resembled our world, so explain

23. It as an ocean full of waves.
You were subdued, O daughter of epochs,

24. Yet you were safer from punishment.